CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Police said a suspect tried to mow them down in his vehicle and then fired shots at them after a traffic stop for tinted windows went awry in St. Thomas on Saturday evening.
N’Kel Morton, 28, of Charlotte Amalie, was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment and interfering with officers discharging their duties, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The VIPD Special Operation Bureau (SOB) along with law enforcement officers from DPNR and DLCA were conducting routine traffic stops as part of Operation “Over-Watch” around Food Center on Nicholas “Nick” Friday Memorial Drive about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the VIPD.
During the operation, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for excessive tint, police said.
“After the traffic stop the operator of the vehicle drove off in a reckless manner and attempted to strike down several officers,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said. “The driver also discharged a firearm in the direction of the officers.”
Due to the actions of the suspect, the officers returned fire, according to Dratte. The suspect sped off towards Red Hook and officers were able to apprehend him shortly after in the Annas Retreat area.
Bail for Morton was set at $300,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
This case is currently under active investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to please call the Criminal Investigation Bureau, 911, the Chief’s Office or contact CIB Detective Bedminster at 340-774-2211 ext. 5573 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477).
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